Waukegan man arrested on attempted murder charges in shooting on a highway in suburban Chicago

A Waukegan man was arrested and charged with attempted murder after he allegedly opened fire on another vehicle on a Chicago-area highway, according to state police.

The Illinois State Police (ISP) Zone 1 East Violent Crimes Unit recently arrested Leroyience Simmons, 34, of Waukegan.

Simmons was charged with attempted murder, a Class X felony, and aggravated discharge of a firearm, a Class 1 felony.

ISP responded to a report of a shooting on a highway at approximately 4:27 p.m. on May 4 on northbound Interstate 294 near Wolf Road in Franklin Park.

ISP said an occupant of the suspect vehicle, later identified as Simmons, fired a weapon. The shots hit the victim’s vehicle.

The victim was uninjured and the suspect vehicle fled the scene. An extensive investigation led to ISP identifying the affected vehicle.

The suspect vehicle was located with the assistance of the Waukegan Police Department. ISP agents and Waukegan police officers took Simmons into custody.

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved felony charges against Simmons following his arrest.

The shooting was the result of a road rage incident, ISP said. They urged the public not to lose control or lose their lives while driving aggressively.

“Road Rage. Don’t engage. If you are a victim of traffic violence or believe a driver is following or harassing you, call 911 and/or go to the nearest police station to report it,” the ISP said.